At least 21 dead after boat carrying migrants sinks off Senegal coast, interior ministry says

At least 21 people lost their lives after a small boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of northwestern Senegal, according to Senegalese authorities. The capsized vessel, carrying migrants seeking passage to Spain's Canary Islands, resulted in only one survivor and 21 fatalities. The Senegalese Interior Ministry confirmed the provisional death toll and stated that search operations were still underway.

The incident occurred near Kebemer, approximately 180 kilometers (around 112 miles) north of the capital, Dakar. In response to the tragedy, Senegalese authorities emphasized their commitment to combating people smuggling networks, particularly through enhanced cooperation with neighboring countries. On Friday, the ministry reported intercepting 142 migrants on a similar boat bound for Spanish territory, which included nationals from various West African nations.

El Hierro Island in the Canary Islands declared an emergency on Saturday following a significant surge in migrant boat arrivals. Over 3,300 people have arrived on around 30 boats since the beginning of the month. The head of the El Hierro regional council, Alpidio Armas, expressed deep concern over the alarming increase in arrivals, prompting the declaration of an emergency to ensure a framework of cooperation with higher-level institutions.

Armas also noted that conditions at the island's hospital had become undesirable. Migrant arrivals hit a record high of 46,000 in 2024 but have since fallen sharply due to increased surveillance and cooperation with African nations.